Apply Now
Details
Reference number
Salary
Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
Job grade
Contract type
Loan
Length of employment
Business area
Type of role
Working pattern
Number of jobs available
Contents
Location
About the job
Job summary
The Social Impact Investment Team within the Civil Society and Youth directorate is looking for a Policy Adviser to join an exciting and innovative team working at the forefront of impact investment policy.
Social impact investing considers impact on people and the planet alongside financial returns. It is a vital source of investment for social enterprises and other businesses which are addressing social and environmental challenges. The UK is recognised as a world leader for social impact investing, with the UK Government playing a critical role in catalysing and supporting the growth of the UK social impact investing market.
The Social Impact investment team leads on this policy area across HMG and has three key objectives: (1) facilitating access to investment finance for charities and social enterprises; (2) encouraging more mainstream (institutional) investors to engage with social impact investment; and (3) working across government to identify where social impact investment can address key policy priorities.
Job description
We are looking for a candidate to deliver a programme of work to support these objectives. Responsibilities will likely include:
- Provide strategic leadership for social investment policy development, applying judgement and communication to develop and complete large projects within set budgets and timelines.
- Lead on managing strong, effective relationships in and out of government, including with leading social impact investment organisations, such as Big Society
- Capital and Access – The Foundation for Social Investment, amongst many others.
- Supporting cross-government engagement to ensure social impact investment policy plans meet wider government priorities, and can support government to achieve its objectives.
- Where relevant, conduct independent policy research on social impact investment to develop policy proposals which look to improve the efficiency and scale of the market.
- Act as a lead source of expertise on this policy area to Senior Officials and Ministers, as well as leading on drafting timely responses to cross-government commissions, writing briefings and submissions for ministers on wide-ranging topic areas.
Person specification
The ideal candidate would have the following key skills and experience:
Essential Requirements:
- Making Effective Decisions: the ability to research and analyse information and data, and applying your judgment and interpretative ability to solve complex problems with sound judgement under pressure.
- Working Together: Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources and support.
- Communicating and Influencing: Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Take complex information and explain it a way that is easy to understand. Respect the needs, responses and opinions of others. The ability to build trust and work closely with senior stakeholders.
- Delivering at Pace: collaborating as part of a team in a constantly changing environment, taking responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive. (Interview stage only – not assessed at the online application stage)
Desirable Skills:
- Previous experience working in financial services, and in particular within social impact investment
- Previous experience of working in/with the civil society sector, with some knowledge of charity and/or social enterprise policy
- Understanding of policies related to investment and the social sector
- Experience of working in partnership with public bodies and senior private sector leaders
- Knowledge and experience of government funding programmes and delivery
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Working Together
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
Benefits
£13,456 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
DCMS values its staff and offers a wide range of benefits to everyone who works here. Were committed to developing talent, and supporting colleagues to have great careers in our department. To support with that, some of the benefits we offer include:
-
Flexible working arrangements and hybrid working – DCMS staff work on a flexible basis with time spent in offices, and time spent working from home
-
26.5 days annual leave on entry, increasing to 31.5 days after 5 years service
-
A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
-
Access to the Edenred employee benefits system which offers discounts to popular retailers and access to various useful resources such as financial and savings advice
-
3 days of paid volunteering leave
-
Up to 9 months maternity leave on full pay + generous paternity and adoption leave
-
Staff reward and recognition bonuses that operate throughout the year
-
Occupational sick pay
-
Access to the Employee Assistance Programme which offers staff 24/7 confidential support and resources such as counselling, debt guidance and management advice
-
Active and engaged staff networks to join including the LGBT+, Ethnic Diversity, Mental Health and Wellbeing and Gender Equality Networks
-
Exceptional learning and development opportunities that you can explore alongside your day to day work
-
Season ticket loan, cycle to work scheme and much more!
Terms and conditions at SCS grades will vary. Those applying for SCS roles should refer to the candidate information pack for more information on terms and conditions.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
To apply for this post, please send us the following documents no later than 9:00 AM Monday 18th December 2023 via the CS Jobs portal:
- A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you provide employment history that relates to the essential and desirable criteria, and that any gaps in employment history within the last 2 years are explained. The CV should not exceed more than 3 x A4 pages and you should insert your CV into the “Job History” section on Civil Service Jobs on the Civil Service Jobs application form.
- A Statement of Suitability (max 500 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role in reference to the essential requirements highlighted. You may also choose to reference the desirable skills listed.
For the shortlist, we will assess your experience and select applicants demonstrating the best fit for the role by considering the evidence provided in your application.
In the event of a large number of applicants, an initial sift will be conducted on the Statement of Suitability. Those who are successful in the initial sift will then be scored on all elements of the application.
Should you encounter any issues with your online application please get in touch with: dcmsrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.
The interview process will assess behaviours and strengths and potentially include a presentation.
The behaviours to be tested at interview are:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Working Together
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
You will not be made aware of the strengths being assessed prior to your interview.
As part of your interview, you may be asked to deliver a short oral presentation. Full details of this, including the topic, and whether or not you will need to use visual aids, will be sent to you prior to your interview.
Your interview will take place remotely via GoogleMeets.
Location
This role can be based in Manchester. The hub locations are displayed on the job advert. Not all hub locations have confirmed office space yet – successful applicants will be expected to work remotely until this becomes available.
Further Information
A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.
However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicants details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
DCMS has a London and a National pay scale. For more information on this, including the circumstances in which each pay scale will apply, please see the Information for Applicants document.
Any move to DCMS from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Reasonable Adjustment
We are committed to supporting candidates so they can perform at their best throughout the recruitment process. This includes making reasonable adjustments to our process.
In order to request an adjustment, please:
Complete the Assistance required section on the Additional requirements page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or a verbal test rather than a written one.
Alternatively, contact the Government Recruitment Service via dcmsrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
If you are experiencing accessibility difficulties with any of the attachments, please contact us. Contact details can be found in the ‘contact point for applicants’ section of the job advert.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Apply and further information
You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Alison Jeffrey
- Email : Alison.Jeffrey@dcms.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : dcmsrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact (recruitment.team@dcms.gov.uk) in the first instance.
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment/civilservicerecruitmentcomplaints/
